An In-Depth Look of the Different Types of Rock Climbing

Though the fundamental idea remains the same, that is climbing a rock formation (more or less) with the intention of reaching the top, there exist different types of rock climbing. They only differ with the usage of artificial aids and protection, and the degree they are used.

Different types of rock climbing cater to a purpose. One is designed to compensate the lack of necessary climbing skills, or else guts to face the real thing. This is the indoor rock climbing, an instruction ground for newcomers and novices, to those that needs to grasp the fundamental techniques before setting out in a more dangerous situations. Indoor rock climbing has a wall face (more common at 30 feet) that simulated to look like a real rock, though oftentimes poor designs lead to conspicuously designed and easily attainable footholds and toeholds. That's pure reason why indoor rock climbing accommodates better with beginners.

However, beginners can jump immediately to the real thing. This is the traditional rock climbing, one that uses artificial aids and protection to aid the climber during his ascent. Though traditional rock climbing is more secured, it is nonetheless one of the most difficult types of rock climbing. What make it difficult are the numerous things the climber needs to accomplish over and over again. The Leave No Trace principle, a set of guidelines that I highly recommend that you follow too, may make the climb more or less difficult.

Traditional rock climbing is taught to you as a climbing pair, one acting as a belayer and one as lead climber. During your first ascent, it is usually the instructor acting as the belayer, and you as the lead climber. This is because the belayer acts as the lifeline; in event of a fall, it is the belayer's job to arrest the fall. The lead climber "explores" the rock face, inching his way hunting for toeholds and cracks in which to secure a protection device.

The hardest of the different types of rock climbing is the solo rock climbing. This type forgoes the use of artificial aids and protection during the ascent. Without anyone or anything to arrest the fall, that means falling on solo rock climbing can be potentially deadly. That's one reason why solo rock climbing had spawned several safer variants, one is the deep sea rock climbing. This solo rock climbing practice takes place over a deep body of water, wherein the fall could be arrested.

Another different types of rock climbing, the free rock climbing may also not use artificial aids but do make use of protection devices, ropes and harnesses. This is one of the more prevalent type of rock climbing, because it creates more challenge without needlessly putting risk.
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Corrie Duana is a contributor at SportsArticles.com. She is an expert in Climbing and Auto Racing.